After 28 years of captivating the nation as BBC Breakfast’s beloved weather presenter, Carol Kirkwood has revealed the true reason behind her decision to leave the iconic show. In an exclusive interview, Carol, who turns 64 next month, opens up about her heart-to-heart conversation with her husband, Steve Randall, that ultimately led to her retirement.
“I loved my job. I had been at the BBC for nearly three decades,” says Carol, reflecting on her incredible career. “But in the end, I love my husband more. We realized there was so much we still wanted to do, especially travel, so it was time to move forward.”
But the decision wasn’t an easy one. It was only after the devastating loss of Steve’s sister, Jan, that the couple truly understood the fragility of life and decided to make the most of their remaining years. Carol says, “Old age isn’t guaranteed,” and with that, her retirement was sealed.
Although leaving the BBC was her own choice, Carol admits that she’ll miss the people the most: colleagues like Sally Nugent, Jon Kay, and Naga Munchetty, as well as her fellow weather forecasters. But she won’t miss the 2:45 a.m. alarms, which she jokes were more “jet lag” than natural sleep.
Carol’s final day at the BBC was an emotional one, with tributes pouring in from ex-colleagues, including Sophie Raworth, Susanna Reid, and even cycling legend Chris Hoy. However, it was a heartwarming moment with Steve and a surprise cab ride to 10 Downing Street that made her farewell even more special.
Carol’s decision to leave also coincided with her husband’s retirement, giving them both the opportunity to explore the world. Their first stop? Italy! Carol shares that she’s always dreamed of traveling and is eager to visit more places like Barbados and St. Lucia.
But as she embarks on this new chapter, Carol remains humble, saying, “I take my job seriously, but not myself.” With a sunny outlook and the release of her fifth novel, Meet Me At Sunset, Carol continues to embrace the opportunities ahead, refusing to dwell on what could have been.
Carol is looking forward to spending more time with Steve and discovering what life has to offer beyond the BBC. Whether that means traveling or learning to play the guitar, one thing’s for sure – Carol’s future is as bright as ever.
Source: Daily Mail
